“As an active contributor to the South African Forestry and Furniture Master Plans, PG Bison is taking this step to support fair and sustainable conditions for investment and growth across the value chain,” says Gerhard Victor, CEO of PG Bison. “Our success is closely linked to the success of our customers, furniture manufacturers, cut-and-edge businesses, resellers and retailers. A competitive local industry enables businesses to invest, develop skills, create jobs and provide customers with reliable choice.”
The application forms part of efforts made by the broader forestry and board manufacturing value chains to strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of local manufacturing. It is not intended to restrict legitimate import competition, but to support a market in which local and international manufacturers compete on fair terms. Addressing unfair trade has the potential to support confidence in future investment while helping to sustain productive capacity, specialised skills and opportunities across the value chain.
PG Bison is backing this position with direct investment. In collaboration with the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), PG Bison is contributing R20 million to the NEF/PG Bison Furniture Industry Fund. The funding is intended to be invested in qualifying businesses and initiatives that support enterprise development, create opportunities for entrepreneurs and strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of local furniture manufacturers. It will also assist broader industry efforts to combat illicit trade and unfair trade practices across the board and furniture value chains.
PG Bison believes that a strong board industry depends on a healthy and growing downstream furniture industry. The anti-dumping application is therefore not an end in itself, but part of a sustained effort of industry collaboration. Victor concludes: “We remain confident in the long-term potential of South African manufacturing and committed to working with government, customers, industry bodies and manufacturers to promote fair trading conditions, encourage investment and create opportunities for new and existing businesses. A healthy and competitive value chain is in all our interests. We are in this together.”
